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Category Archives: Environment

CARB opens grant solicitation for Off-Road Mobile Agricultural Equipment Trade-Up Pilot Project in the San Joaquin Valley

April 10, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is pleased to announce its Grant Solicitation for the Off-Road Mobile Agricultural Equipment Trade-Up Pilot Project in the San Joaquin Valley (Trade-Up Pilot Project). The solicitation includes the option for a new Grant Agreement for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Funding of up to $3,000,000 for this project was approved by the Board in October …

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Pink Bollworm Program honored for reducing dependence on pesticides

January 27, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

California’s cooperative Pink Bollworm Program was one of six projects recognized by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) at an award ceremony last night (January 26) in Sacramento to honor efforts to manage pests while reducing the use of pesticides. The awards recognize innovation, leadership, education and outreach by California-based organizations that carry out pest management. The six projects use integrated pest management (IPM) …

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Posted in Environment, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hydroponic agriculture showcases diversity of California Ag production

January 26, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

Hydroponic agriculture, the growing of plants without soil and adding nutrients in water, is a relatively new method of production in California, but it shows promise as a growth sector for farmers seeking to produce more efficiently while utilizing fewer natural resources, a challenge and opportunity recognized by all of agriculture as it moves through the 21st Century. CDFA staff …

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Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Cow Power! Dedication of first dairy digester in CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program

November 17, 2016   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Undersecretary Jim Houston joined the celebration today in Fresno County for the dedication of a new dairy digester at Open Sky Ranch – the first digester in CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program. The program is one of several at CDFA supported by the state’s greenhouse gas reduction fund, which is made possible by cap-and-trade funding. CDFA contributed …

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Climate Smart Agriculture Online Webinar: Israel & California to Discuss Recycled Water Use on November 9

November 3, 2016   Jessica Rudnick, CDFA Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation

California and Israel share similar climates and challenges as it relates to food and farming. As California potentially enters a sixth consecutive drought year – how we manage and use agriculture water will be all the more important. Join the conversation as farmers, research scientist and government representatives in Israel and California discuss the extent, development and potential of recycled water …

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Posted in Climate Change, Drought, Environment, Trade | Leave a comment

Why industrial farms are good for the environment – op-ed in the New York Times

September 27, 2016   Office of Public Affairs

By Jayson Lusk, professor of agricultural economics, Oklahoma State University There is much to like about small, local farms and their influence on what we eat. But if we are to sustainably deal with problems presented by population growth and climate change, we need to look to the farmers who grow a majority of the country’s food and fiber. Large …

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Moving the Needle on Nitrogen Fertilizer Management in California Agriculture

August 12, 2016   Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

California Department of Food and Agriculture invests in crop-specific research, training for farmers and crop advisors, and development of best practices for nitrogen use. By Karen Ross, CDFA Secretary As young students we are taught that water, sunshine, seed and soil are the building blocks of agriculture. Scientists and farmers alike have come to embrace the basic and vital importance of …

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Posted in Environment, Fertilizer, Healthy soils | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Young African leaders visit CDFA to learn about agriculture, energy and the environment

August 11, 2016   Office of Public Affairs

UC Davis hosted 25 Young African Leaders as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship in July as part of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. For two of these young leaders, the trip to California also included a visit with CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI). Fatima Ademoh from Nigeria and James Kakeeto from Uganda visited CDFA on July 27 to …

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Address all factors to improve salmon numbers – from the Sacramento Bee

August 4, 2016   Office of Public Affairs

By Don Bransford and Fritz Durst Special to the Sacramento Bee For most people traveling on Interstate 5 in Northern California, Lake Shasta is viewed as a recreational jewel along their journey. The fact is the reservoir is a major workhorse providing flood control, critical storage capacity and water deliveries that provide multiple benefits to the public, farmers, municipalities, aquatic …

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Hmong farmers getting help from UC Cooperative Extension to weather the drought – from UCANR

August 3, 2016   Office of Public Affairs

By Jeannette Warnert, UC Agriculture & Natural Resources After the Central Valley Hmong Agriculture radio show aired, the phones at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Fresno County were buzzing non-stop with farmers anxious to apply for state grants to improve irrigation systems and energy efficiency. Michael Yang, UCCE Hmong agricultural assistant, has hosted the one-hour show each Tuesday afternoon …

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